Tufting-attachment mechanism for sewing machines



March 2 1926. 1,575,570

J. M. GLADISH TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed June 2s, 1924 5 sheets-sheet 1 March 2 1926. 1,575,570

J. M. GLADISH l l TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR vswmef MACHINES l92r4 5 Sheets-'Sheeil 2 Filed June 23 'March 2 g 1926.

J. M. GLADISH TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 23' March 2,1926. l1,575,570 J. M. GLADISH TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISMFOR SEWING MACHINES Filed June 23, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheef 4 March 2 1926.

J. M. GLADISH TUFTING ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed June 23l 1924 5 Sheets-Sheel:` 5

Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

JOHN MILTON GLADISH, OF CHATTANOO SIGNMENTS, TO CARTER BROTHERS,

GA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- A FIRM COMPOSED F AUGUST J1-CARTER AND PEYTON L. CARTER,`OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

T'UFTING-ATTACHMENT MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Application led .Tune 23, 1924. Serial No. 721,860.-

To all whom it may concern:

lBe it known that 1,'J0HN M. GLAnIsH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and 'State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tufting-Attachment Mechanism for Sewing Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sewing machines and particularly to meching or'woven fabrics.

disclosed by Patent No. 1,485,213,

anism forming an attachment for a sewing machine for making tufted work on sheet- The present invention embodies improvements on the machine granted to August J. Garter Feb. 26, 1924.

One of the objects of the present invenf tion is to materially simplify the mechanism and ease the operationof the elements-formimg the attachment for automatically producmg a series of loops in regular sequence 4in sheeting or fabric, and to either sever the loops-to form-a long pile, or permit the yloops to remain intact and securely hold either the severed or continuous loops in connection with the sheeting or fabric in which they are formed, to withstand loosen- Aing or displacement duringwashing operaf-J'tions and also increase the wearing durability of this vclass of products.

A further object of the invention is to provide vcomparatively simple and effective meansv for tufting sheeting or woven fabrics to produce spreads, rugs and other articles solely bym'echanism lin contradistinction to tufting operations which have usually been heretofore performed by manual leffort in conjunction with mechanism, and. therebyV materially reduce the cost of production and selling'price. -v WVjth these and 'other objects and advantages in view, the'invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:. 4 l

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a sewing machine showing the improved mechanism forming the attachment applied thereto and ,the enclosing means therefor removed.

i Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of a part of a sewing machine below the presser foot and throat plate.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2, showing the needle in fully depressed stroke andthe position of the adjacent mechanism when the needle is fully depressed.

Fig. 5' is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the needle elevated andthe improved mechanism in a position for forming and completing the loop tuft.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of parts o-f the mechanism in loop forming positions.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section on the line 7-7, Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section on the line 8 8, Fig. 6. f Figs. 9, 10 and v11 are transverse vertical sections taken a sh'ort distance inside of the needle and looking outwardly, to illustrate the operation of the needle in the formation of the loops and the severance of the latter to produce the pile.

Figs. 12 and 13 are plan views on an enlarged scale of the throat plate together with portions of the mechanism shown in full and dotted lines and particularly illustrating the means for holding and shifting the thread or strand during the operation of the needle.

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section through a piece of sheeting or fabric showing the manner of securingl the loops therein.

Fi 15 lis a section through a piece of sheeting or fabric taken in a plane at right angles to that shown in Fig. 14 and illustrating the appearance of the tufting when com leted.

F 1g. 16 is a planV view of a piece of sheeting or fabric Lshowing the surface appearance of the completed tufting.

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the manner of securing the loops in the sheeting or fabric and the loops left un-l sever d, for producing slightly lmodified forms of the improved .tufted fabric.

, The improved mechanism embodying the features of the present invention is shown applied to a well known form of sewing machine, comprising the usual supporting bed or base 5, an upwardly and outwardly vprojecting fixed arm or goose neck 6 havmg a esl f nally over the bedV through the lower porthroat 25.

tion of the arm 6, a driving pulley 9 on the said shaft, an eccentric 10 also mounted on the shaft near the driving pulley and having a connecting rod 11 attached to a rocker arm 12 fulcrumed o-n one side of the fixed arm or goose neck 6, as at 13, and having its other end clamped or otherwise secured to a needle bar 14 reciprocatingly mounted in the head 7 and, as usual, provided with a movable needle 15 in the lower end thereof. The sewing machine mechanism also embodies a presser foot bar 16 provided with the usual means for raising and lowering the same and having a presser foot 17 of essentially the usual form except possibly that it is slightly elongated and h-as its opposite ends 17a and 17b upturned, as clearly shown by Fig. 3, the presser foot being disposed to cooperate with a throat plate 18 slidably and removably mounted in a work support 19 as shown by Figs. 12 and 13,the said work support also serving to cover the mechanism. In Fig. 1 the work support andthroat plate have been omitted so as to more clearly show the cooperation of the components of the mechanism embodying the features of the improvement with the presser foot four-motion feed, but, as above noted, this work support is clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and will be readily understood. lThe sewing machine structure also includes a feed arm 20, as shown by Fig. 2, said latter arm throat plate as usual, the said feeders being parallel and separated by a channel or It will be understood from the foregoing that the feeders 24 have four motions imparted thereto, to regularly cooperyate with the work on the support 19 and positively progress the latter in accordance with the operation of feed devices of this class. The sewing mechanism is also provided with suitable tension means 26, .as shown by Fig. l, for the thread or strand 27, which is passed through a suitable loop 28 -at 'the upper end of the needle bar 14 Yand then downwardly through the eye of the needle 15.

u The mechanisms thus far described do not involve the features o-f the present invention and the improved attachment mechanism is shown applied to cooperate with these several sewing machine instrumentalities as above described to illustrate one practical application of the improvement. It will be understood, however, that the improved attachment mechanism may be applied to Aother sewing machine mechanismshaving essential parts similar to, those described, and the operation of the improved attachment is direct from the main or drive shaft 8 of the sewing machine without requiring the use of any additional or auxiliary driving mechanism, and in the present instance the improved attachment is applied to and held by the usual base 5 of the sewing machine.

On the main or drive shaft 8 Aa cam 29 is secured and engaged by a yoke 30 secured to a longitudinally shiftable rock shaft 3l, mounted in bearings 32 and 33 extending upwardly from the base or bed 5. The rock shaft 31 is of-comparatively short length and the cam 29 through the medium of the yoke 30 imparts a rocking movement in opposite directions at interval-s thereto. The.

yoke 30 has hardened wear or bearing plates 34, which directly engage the cam and lpermit the yoke body to be formed of a much softer metal. The yoke is longitudinally slotted, as at 35, and engaged by an adjusting screw 36, the slot providing for adjustable movement of one arm 37 of the yoke to compensate for wear and insure a positive engagement of the plates 34 with the cam 29. The opposite arm 38 of the yoke is fixed and the adjustable arm 37 is moved through the actuation of the adjusting screw 36 relatively to the said fixed arm. Adjacent the cam 29 is an oiler or lubricating means consisting of an upwardly projecting hollow casing 39 havingA suitable oil saturated lubricating material 40 held therein and exposed for vengagement by the periphery ofthe cam 29. This oiling or lubricating means is secured to the bed or base 5 of themachine in rear of the shaft 8 and cam 29. A suitable distance in advance of the cam 29 on the shaft 8 is a set collar 41 having a cam member 42 fixed thereto and also surrounding the shaft 8, this cam member being provided with a cam projection 43, which serves as a depressing means in connection with a cooperating component which will be presently described. Adjacent the collar 41 and cam membe-r- 42 another oiling or lubricating means is located and consists of a hollow upright support 44, which is secured to the base 5 and has therein oil or lubricant saturated material 45, which is exposed t0 the collar and particularlv to' the cam projection 43. Between the bearings 32 and 33 the longitudinally slidable rock shaft 31 has an angular tappet46 secured thereon, to regu- -larly partake of the movement thereof, said tappet having a collar member 47 secured on the rod 31 and a front right-angular revided with an angular extremity 51, which extends under the shaft 8 and the cam inember 42, the cam projection 43 of the latter member regularly engaging the free ex'A the lower portionbf the bearing 33 and the bearing 49 is secured to the front edge of the bed or base 5. Secured on the shaft 50 and projecting upwardly a short distance in front of the bearing 33 is a tappet pin 51a, which engages the free end ofthe arm 48 and imparts a longitudinal movement to the rock shaft 31 in the bearings 32 and 33. The

ryyok'e 30 longitudinally shifts with relation to the cam 29 equally with the rock shaft 31, the said cam being of such length as to compensate for the shifting movement of the c yoke andthe plates 34 relatively thereto a rear transverse extension 56 in which the4 without disengagement of these coacting parts. The rock shaft 31 is-longitudinally shifted against the resistance -o-f a spring 52, which is attached at one end to a headed stud or pin 53 secured in the yoke 30 and has its opposite end attached to a post 54 rising from the bed or base 5 in vadvance of the bearing 49. On the end of therock shaft 31 opposite that to which the yoke 30 is secured a head 55 is firmly fixed and has ear end of a shank 57 of a loop -retainer or arm 58 is secured, this loop retainer or arm having a forward'flattened holding extremity 59 with a serrated free end 60. The loop Iretainer or arm 5 8 is extended forwardly by a regular bend relatively to the shank 57,'

as at 61, and continues into the said flattenedextremity 59, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the said loop retainer or arm 58 being also extended upwardly above the plane of its shank 57 so as to properly position the flattened extremity 59 with its serrated free end 60 relatively to an abutment means which will be presently explained.

` A short distance in advance of the po'st 54 double .bearing members 62 are secured at the front and rear portions of the bed or vbase 5 and therein are mounted transversely extending parallel rock shafts 63 and 64. The shafts 63 and 64 extend under and obviously in planes at right angles to the `main drive shaft 8. and secured on the latter shaft over the rock shaft 63 is a cam cylinder 65 having a cam groove 66 with a maximum rearwardly projecting portion 67, as clearly shown by Fig. 4, and secured on the shaft 63 in advance or in front of the cam cylinder 65 is a rocking head 68 with a side extension 69 having an opening 70 therein to receive a rearwardly projecting pin 71, see Fig. 3, the said pin engaging the4 cam groove 66 of the cylinder 65and held against movement by a set screw 72.inserted in thev and 5. When it'is desired to cut the loops as formed, the knife or cutter 75 will be secured and firmly held inthe free extremity of the arm 73, but when it is desired to produce a tufted fabric with uncutl loops, the knife or cutter 75 may be removed yby `loosening and disengaging the screw 74 from the extremity of the arm 73. The upper and lower edges 76 of the knife or cutter 7 5 are similarly sharpened, and when one edge becomes dull the knife may be reversed to bring into operation the' remaining sharper edge, thereby materially saving time in the effective operation ofthe machine or the cutting component of the. latter. It will also be understood that a number of theseY one cutter may be readily applied to the f arm 73 to replace another in the event of excessive wear, and moreover, of the cutters may be sharpened to a certain extent without impairing the operation of this cutting mechanism. Surrounding the shaft 63 is a coiled spring 77 having one leg or extremity 78 bearing upon the top surface ofthe bed or base 5 adjacent the said shaftand the other leg or extremity 79 looped around and secured to the arm 73, as at 80. The purpose of this/springis to quickly lower the hea-d 68, arm 73 and knife or cutter 75 when the pin 71l is released from the maximum rearwardlyextended portion of the cam groove 66, or the high part of this groove, as it were, so as to expeditiously clear the knife lor cutter from the remaining mechanism -with which it cooperates after it has served its cutting function.

On the shaft 64 is secureda tubular rock ing. head 81 having an angular actuating arm82 extending rearwardly therefrom-under the main drive shaft 8 and under a cam member 83 fixed to, or forming part of, a cam collar 84 secured on the said main drive shaft. The free rear end of therearwardly any one projecting actuating arm 82 has the lower end of a spring 85 secured thereto, the upper end of the said' spring being attached to a projection 86 extending inwardly from the top portion of a transversely extending end cam collar 84 and cam member 83.

through the medium of its maximum projecting portion 88, operating as a depressing cam and forcing the arm 82 downwardly against the resistance of the spring 85. In the tubular head 81 a shank 89 is secured and has on the upper extremity thereof a looper hook or extended bill 90 of the general construction shown particularly by Figs. 2 and 6 and consisting of a rearwardly extending loop member 91 with an out.- wardly projecting tapered slotted bill 92, which is reduced to a point as at 93 and is so proportioned and generally shaped as to cooperate closely with the needle 15 and with surety pass through the looped thread or strand lowered with the needle, the outer edge of the loop or hook or bill 92 moving close to the rear portion of the needle and with nicety passing between the needle and the portion of the thread or strand at the rear thereof, to retain a part of the latter in lowered position to produce the loop when the needle moves upwardly. l/Vhen the looper as just explained reaches the outer limitof its stroke and has completed its function, the arm 82. will be released by disengagement therefrom of the projecting portion 88 of the cam member 83 and the oiling or lubricating means 94 secured thereto for sweeping the cam cylinder and cam groove 66, and extending forwardly from the feed arm 20 is another oiling or lubricating means 95, which engages the The feed arm 20 is rocked in regular timed relation by having a yoke at the forward extremity thereof formed by an angularly bent strip k96 secured to the underside thereof and including a lower horizontal contact member 97 parallel with the upper free extremity of the said feed arm, the said extremity of thexfeed `arm and the contact member 97 embracing a cam 98 on the shaft 8 between the cam cylinder 65 and the cam collar 84 and cam member 83. rIfhe oiling or lubricating means 95 is held by the vertlcal member 99 of the strip 96 as clearly shown by Fig. 3, and a part of .this oiling means also cooperates with the cam 98.

Secured to lthe front edge of the transversely extendingend bearing and supporting member 87 is a post 100 having its upper end continued inwardlyin arcuate form to provide an abutment 101. This abutment is horizontally slotted, as at 102, to form upper and lower curved members 103 and 104. The upper portion of the top member 103 is formed with a transversely extending rib fully thereacross, as at 104u 6 .and 8, for movement upwardly therethrough of the knife or cutter 75 to sever each loop as formed at regular intervals. The slot 102 extends fully between the inner terminals of the members ,103 and 104 and the tapered bend 92 of the loop or hook is free to move into and inwardly from the said slot, to hold each loop formed in proper position for severing engagement.

therewith by the knife or cutter 75` which moves through the inner portion of the slot 106 and into the slotted bill 92 in severing or cutting the loop, as shown by Fig. 11. The entire knife or cutter 7 5 does not pass through the slot 106 but only the upper portion of said knife or cutter, so as to bring the uppermost cutting edge 76 into the slot 106 and also the slotted bill 92 in performing its cutting function relatively to each successive loop as produced and held taut in a manner which will be hereinafter specified. The abutment structure just mentioned is fixed and the inwardly upper curved slotted portion thereof terminates such a distance from the post as to just permit the needle 15 to move downwardly and upwardly close to the inner free ends of the members 103 and 104 ,without touching the said ends, as clearly indicated by Fig. 6.

The presser foot differs only slightly from the ordinary sewing machine Presser foot, to accommodate the bulk of work passing thereunder and over the throat plate 18. In the present instance the presser foot, in .addition to the upturned ends 17a and 17b heretofore specified, has a bottom groove 17C, as clearly shown by Figs. 9, 10 and .11, to cooperate with the throat 25 between or separating the vfeeders 24 and clear. the loops and prevent any tendency to jam under the rear part of the presser foot. The throat plate 18 has a rectangular slot 107 formed therein, andA from the front terminal of this slot a fiat tongue 108 projects rearwardly in central relation to the slot and is of Aconsiderably less width than the' said slot, to thereby provide reduced side portions or slots 109 for free movement or operation of the serrated feeders 24. The tongue 108 has a slot 110 opening through the rear terminal thereof and forming opposite fingers 111. The tongue extends only partway through the center of the slot 107, and the rearwardly opening slot 110 has a front curved terminal wall 112, and close to this wall the needle 15 vertically reciprocates. The slot110 of the tongue 108 assists in the clearance of the loopsas formed, and as a further means of assistance in the clearance o'f the completed loops, the bottom wall of the throat is upwardly and rearwardly inclined, as at 113. At the center of the rear of the throatfplate 18 is a clearance channel 114, which also contributes to the clearance of the completed work or loops. The yfinished tufts, Whether in the form of cut or uncut loops, pass upwardly through the rear portion of the slot 107 of the throat plate 18 into and rear/- wardly through the channel 114, and by means of thesev several clearance structures all liability of choking thel work is eliminated and the cut or, uncut loops or finished tufts will regularly move with the fabric with which they have beenformed by the regular operationv of the needle 15. Y

In preparation for operation, the strand, thread or cord 27, `which is-supplied from a suitable spool or reel mounted in convenient position for feeding the mechanism, is first associated with the tension means 26 and then passed through the feeding loop 28 at the upper end of the needle bary 14 and then downwardly through the eye of the needle 15. The fabric is placed on the wor-k support 19 over the throat plate 18 and held in close contact with the latter by the presser foot 17 and in engagement with the feeders 24. At the beginning of thel operation the needle 15 is elevated to the uppermost limit of its stroke, and when the needle is in this position the bill or hook 90 and the knife or cutter 75 will be in the position shown by Fig. 5, and the moment the needle descends the bill or hook 90 is moved inwardly in the arc of a circle and the cutter or knife 75 moved downwardly and the loop retaining mechanism also is shifted inwardly, so as to permit the needle passing through the fabric to have unretarded downward movement below the throat plate and close to and below the ends of the abutment members 103 and 104, and at a proper timed interval the bill or hook is swung outwardly, o r over toward the needle, and the lloop retainer or ar'm 58 moves laterally in a rearward direction 'and the tapered slotted bill 92 passes between the rear' portion of the needle and the thread, strand or cord, and at the same time theloop retainer, which is now slightly separated at its free notched end from the abutment, approaches the latterv while the bill 92 continues outwardly into the slot 102 between the' members 103 and 104 vof the abutment, land during the ascent ofthe needle upwardly through thefabric. the serrated end 60 of the flattened extremity Vtrated by Figs. 9, 10 and 11 'this latter operation the thread, strand orv cord is also being held above by the presser foot 17. The formation of the loop and movements of a portion of the loop during e the formation of each loop is clearly illusand also by Figs. 12 and 13 in full and dotted lines, and

as the loops are successively severed and the` fabric, which is shown as at A, moves or is fed rearwardly, the completed loops or tufts regularly progress through the bottom groove or channel 17? of the presser foot and the throat 25 between the feeders 24 and then.,loutwardly through the channel 114.` When it is desired to form a tuft having uncut loops, the knife or cutter 75 is removed from the arm 73 andthe parts operate yas before, or continue to coact in relative timed' relation, 4there being no interference under these conditions with the formation of the loop bythe operation of the arm 73 and its head 68, in v1ew of the fact that when the cutter 75 is detached from the arm 73, the latter arm will not move int-o such positionas to in anywiseinterfere with the formation of,` complete or uncut loops. As shown by Fig. 14, it will be seen that the 'loops thrbugh the fabric as at B will be in -nary stitching and resulting advantageously in the finished product. After the'fabric A has been subjected to the formation of the loops or tuft members therein and the loops regularly cut, the free endsof the secured and^cut loops will present a fluffy appearance, as atC, as shown by Figs. 15 and 16. When the loops are uncut or are complete, they will appear as at D, Fig. 17. By this means either a fluffy or looped tuft appearance may be reduced in connection with the fabric; and a l the loops are of equal length, and when they are cut the free` parts of the pile ends are prevented from working out` of the fabric and will also be of equal length, thereby avoiding the necessity of subse uent trimming.- The tight association o loops either'in cut or uncut condition. 1with the fabric will result in the production of a finished product having numerous advantages, especially when subjecting the fabric and the tufts to cleaning operations.

To the upper portion of the presser foot bar 16 a lifting lever 115 is secured and fulcrumed as at 116 on the rear portion of the goose neck 6 and has a rearwardly eX- tending actuating bar l117 attached to' the rear end thereof. On the rear portion of the base or bed 5 adjacent to the upright portion of the goose neck 6 a rocking lever 118 is fulcrumed. To the rear end of the bar 117 a cord or wire 119 is secured and continued downwardly through an eye or o ening 120 formed in the upper free. end o the lever 11S, the said cord or wire passing through the eye 120 and secured to the rear portion of the top of the yoke 30. The presser foot bar 16 is engaged by a flat 4spring 121 secured to the rear part of the upper portion of the goose neck 6, as at 122, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. 'lhe purposey of this lever 115 and bar 117 with the cord or wire 119 passing through and attached to the eye 120 of the rock lever 118 and securedto the upper portion of the yoke is toraise the presser'foot bar 16 and presser foot 17 at regular intervals-in timed relation to the operation of the yoke 30 'through the cam 29, to ease the feed of the fabric being tufted relatively to the feeders 24. This easing movement of the presser foot through the mechanism just described 36 is slight and against the resistance of the spring 121, which always tends to force the presser foot bar 16 and presser foot 17 downwardly. Moreover, at any time found necessary the lever 115 may be operated through the bar 117 yto raise the presser foot 17 and the presser foot bar 16 by manually depressing the said lever and bar and particularly when arranging the work in position or disposing the fabric to be tufted between the presser foot and the feeders.

The loop forming or tufting operation hereinbefore described is expeditiously carried on' and various designs may be worked out in accordance with a pattern tliatdmay be outlined on the fabric, and fabrics and loops of different colors-may also be used with pleasing effect.

It will also be noted in this instance, as in the patent hereinbefore specified, that a single needle 15 serves as the'main element for assisting in forming the successive loops, and by this means the improved attachment may be readily applied or associated withY the essential components of a sewing machine of a commercially well'known type, with economy inthe cost of production of thefiinprovedmaehine or applying the attachment mechanism. A

What is claimed as new is:

1. 1n a machineof the class specified, the 55 combination" with a single*l reciprocating 'teramo needle, means for guiding va strand thereto, loop forming mechanism comprising a slotted abutment and a reciprocating device partially movable into the abutment, and means separate and apart from the reciprocating device for holding portions of the successive loops during the' operation of the needle to produce successive loops of uniform dimensions.

2. In a machine of the class specified, the combination with a single reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand thereto, means for supporting a fabric for penetration by the needle and strand, loop forming mechanism operating below the fabric supporting means and in conjunctionv with the needle, and means for holding portions of the successivel formed loops to render them secure against movement when the needle elevates reliminary to forming-each successive loop or producing loops of equal dimensions on the lower side of the fabric, said loop forming mechanism comprising a slotted abutment and a reciprocating device partially movable into the abutment.

8. 1n a machine of the class specified, means for supporting and regularly feeding a fabric, a single reciprocating needle movablevertically through the said means and the fabric on the latter, means forgridingv able cutter which may operate to regularly sever the loops as formed and when the cutter is removed to produce a fabric having a series of uncut loops.

4. In al machine of the class specified, a reciprocating device having a stra/nd carried thereby and operating to produce and secure a loo in stitch-like form in a fabric, means for fbrming successive loops in the fabricand consisting of a slotted abutment and a reciprocating device partially movable intothe abutment, means for separating and holding parts of the individual loops durf ing formation of' the latter, and cutting means mounted separately with relation to the means for separating and holding parts of the loops and provided with a removable cutter, whereby the said cutting means may operate to regularly sever the loops or actuate without interfering with the formation of uncut loops. f

5. In a machine of the class s ecified,'a device for penetrating a fabric an carrying a strand which is passed through the fabric to regularly extend portionsof the strand in se uence below the fabric, mechanism for forming the strand into successive loops and tautly hold the latter at intervals to produce loopsofuniform dimensions and comprising a slotted abutment and independent means partially movable into and also relatively to the edge of the said abutment, and cutting means mounted separately with relation to the mechanism for forming the strand into successive loops and hold the latter at intervals and provided with a removable cutter which extends above the operating means therefor, the cutter when removed permitting the operating means therefor to continue vto actuate without interfering with the' formation of successive loops of uniform' dimensions to produce a fabric having cut or uncut loops secured thereto.

6. In a machine .oftheclassspeciiied a single reciprocating needle carrying a strand for penetrating a fabric and passing the strand through and below the said fabric, loop-forming Vmeans for separating a portion of the strand carried by the needle from the remaining part of the said strand to produce successive Dloops belowthe underside of the fabric and securing the loops to the fabric, a rigid slotted abutment, separately operating means cooperating with the abutment for holding portions of the successive loops during the ascent of the needle, said loop forming means being movable into the slotted abutment, and cuttingmeans to sever the loops having a removable cutter which when removed' will eliminate the engaging relation of the said cutter rela-` tively to the loop forming means and loops for permitting the formation of a series of uncut loops of uniform dimensions.

v7. A sewing machine having the usual reciprocating needle and means for supplying a strand thereto, a rigid slotted resistance device and separately mounted and independently movable means cooperating with said resistance device for respectively forming and holding successive loops in taut Vcondition, and loop severing means having a removable cutter which operates to regularly and equally sever the loops as formed, the severing means'when the cutter is removed regularly operating without interfering with the remaining mechanism and permitting production of a series of uncut loops of uniform dimensions.

8. A' sewingmachine having the usual .reciprocating needle and means for supplying a strand thereto, rigid slotted resistance means, and separately mountedand independently movable means cooperating with said resistance means for respectively forming and holding successive loops in taut con-- dition and regularly and equally severing the loops as formed, the severing means having a swinging movement reverse to the loop forming means and provided with a cutter which moves into the advanced portion of"- means towards and into the advanced portion of the said loop forming means for equally cutting the loop to form'pile members of equal length, the cutting' means having a` cutter which is removable to permit said means to similarly operate as when perv forming its cutting function without interfering with or affecting the operation of the remaining mechanism. Y

10. A sewig machine having the usual single reciprocating needle and means for guiding a strand thereto, aslotted resistance means, loop forming means having a swinging movement to and from the needle to form successive loops when the needle' descends, independently operative means for holdingl portions of the successive loops in taut condition, the said loop forming means and independently operative means cooperating with the resistance means, and independently mounted cutting means having a swinging movement to and from the loop forming means and in a direction reverse to the movement of the latter and provided with a. removable cutter which is movable into an advanced portion of the loop forming means for equallycutting the' loops while the latter are held in taut condition.

. 11. A, sewing machine having the usual needle and means. for guiding a strandto the latter, a slotted stop abutment held in fixed position, loop forming means having a swinging movement towards the stop abutment and partially movable into the latter, andloop retaining means movable towards and laterally with relation to the upper portion of the stopv abutment t'o form'loops of uniform dimensions relatively to the operation ofthe needle.

, 12. A sewing machine having theiusual reciprocating needle and means lfor guidingA a strand thereto, rocking means operating with the needle when the latter is in lits lowfor formingthe loops-rand also having a rocking movement imparted .thereto in a direction reverse to that of the said loop forming means.

13. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with meansfor guiding a strand thereto, loop forming means consisting of an oscillating hook to engage a portion of the.

111. yIn a machine of the class specified, ay

single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, loop forming means consisting of an oscillating hook to engage a portion of the strand, a fixed slotted( abutment into which a portion of the said loop forming means has movement, an oscillating loop retainer having a free end cooperatingr with the fixed abutment to hold and shift a portion of the strand relatively to the abutment, and means for cutting the loop while the latter is held taut, the loop retainer-and cutting means being separated from and operable independently of the oscillating hook.

15. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, means for drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle while in its lowermost position to form a loop, a fixed abutment having an upper horizontally slotted end and a portion thereof also provided with a longitudinal slot, means having a free end for engaging a portion of the abutment to retain the loop in taut condition, and means cooperating with the abutment and said loop forming means for cutting the loop While held in taut condition.

16. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, meansfor successively drawing a portion of the strand away from the needle while the latter and the strand are in lowered position to form a loop and including a slotted abutment and a reciprocating device movable into the' abutment for separating a portion of the-strand, means for holding the separated portion of the strand taut while the needle is ascending, and means for cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length and also adapted to be arranged to operate without cutting the loop and form continuous loops of similar dimensions.

17. In a machine of the class specified, a work support on .which a fabric is placed, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, the needle operating to pass the strand through the fabric and carry the said strand below the work support, a reciprocating bill for separating a portion of the strand from the needle below the fabric to form a loop, a fixed abutment having a horizontal slot therethrough opening through the upper inner free end thereof, the bill being movable into the slot of the abutment, and means for holding the loop as the needle ascends.

18. In a machine of the class specified, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, a work support upon which a fabric is adaptedto be placed for passage of the needle and strand therethrough, a fixed slotted abutment having an upper inner free end adjacent to the plane of movement of the needle, a loop forming device movable with relation to the needle into the abutment and operating to pass between the needle and a portion of the strand to form a loop and effect a sliding movement of the separated part of the strand over said device as the needle elevates, the loop forming device being movable into the free end of the abutment, and means for holding the separated part of the strand and shifting the latter out of the path of movement of the needle.

19. In a machine of the class specified, a l

single vertically reciprocating needle'provided with means for guiding a strand thereto, a work support upon Wliich a fabric is adapted to be placed for passage of the needle and strand therethrough. a slotted fixed abutment having an upper inner free end adjacent to the plane of movement of the needle, a loop forming device movable with relation to the needle and into the abutment and operating to pass between the needle and a portion of the strand to form a loop and effect a sliding movement of -the separated part of the strand over said device as the needle elevates, the loop forming device being movable into the free end Aof the abutment, means for holding the separated part' of the strand and shiftin the latter out of the path of movement o the needle, and means for cutting the loop to form pile members and having a cutting element movable upwardly into a portion of the loop forming device and the abutment. 20. In a machine of the class specified, a work support having means movable through a portion thereof to engage a fabric placed on the support, a single vertically reciprocating needle movable through the l support relatively to the feeding means and operatingl independently of the hookA for retaining'the loop in taut condition, and means mounted independent of the said hook and loop retaining means for cutting the loop and movable upwardly into the slotted hook for cutting the loop to form pile members of equal length.

21. In a machine of the class specified, a

single vertically reciprocating strand'earrypart of the looped strand rearwardly and to maintain the loop in taut condition during the ascent of the needle, and cutting means mounted below and separate from the loop forming means and ymovable into the forward extremity of saida loop forming means and also into the abutment', the cutting means having a separable cutter to permit the main part of the cutting means to operate without severing the loop in the formation of a product having uncut loops.

22. In a machine ofthe class specified, a work support adapted to receive a fabric thereon, a single vertically reciprocating strand carrying needle movable through the work support and fabric, a Iixed stop means below the work support and having an upper inner free slotted ex-tremity, a longitudinally reciprocating laterally oscillating loop retainer having a free end arranged to 1 engage a portion of the fixed stop means, an

oscillating hook below the plane of the fixed stop means and retainer and operating to separate a portion of the strand from thev needle and movable into the fixed stop means, the retainer operating to hold the' loop taut against the stop means to give clearance and freedom of upward movement sito the needle 'and a uniform retention of each successive loop to produ'ce'a. finished article having loops of uniform dimensions.v

ing and laterally oscillating loop retainer having a free extremity disposed opposite a portion of the free extremity of the stop to engage `and hold the separated portion of the strand while the needle ascends, and a vertically oscillatino' cutter movable 11pwardly into the fixed stop and the hook b1ll for severing the loop while the latter is held taut b the retainer against the stop.

24. n a machine of the class specified, a work support for holding a fabric, a throat plate mounted in the worksupport and having a slot with a central rearwardly projectmg tongue which has its rear end formed with a slot that opens into the rear portion of the said slot of the throat plate, feeding devices for the fabric movable through the throat plate on opposite sides of the tongue,

a presser foot-to `engage the fabric onl the work support having a groove in its lower side over the throat plate, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto and movable through the presser foot, the fabric and the slot of the tongue of the throat plate, loop forming means below the throat plate, and a loop holdin means mounted separate from and opera le independently of the loop forming means.

25. In a machine of the class specified, a

Work support for holding a fabric, a throat plate mounted in the work support and having a slot with a central rearwardly projecting tongue which has its rear end formed with a slot that opens intothe rear portion of the said slot ofthe throat plate, feeding devices for the fabric movable through the throat plate on opposite sides ofthe tongue, a presser foot to engage the fabric on the work support having a groove in its lower side` over the throat plate, a single vertically reciprocating needle provided with means for guiding a strand thereto and movable through the presser foot, the fabric and the slot of the tongue of the throat plate, loop I forming means below the throat plate, loop means mounted separate from and operab e independently of the loop forming means,and loop cutting means also mounted separately below and clear of the loop forming means and movable into a portion of the latter at intervals to form pile members of uniform length, the pile members being successively drawn upwardly through the opening in the throat plate and throu h the groove of the presser foot by the ceding movement of the fabric.

26. A sewing machine comprising a work support and throat late with feeding devices working theret rough and adapted to hold a fabric, a presser foot mounted over the throat plate, the throat plate having a slot therethrough and a rear channel -leadin from the slot and the presser foot provi ed with a longitudinal groove in the lower side thereof over the throat plate,.the throat i the slot of the throat plate,

opposite sides of the tongue of the throat plate, and mechanism connected to and operated by the main actuating mechanism of the Sewing machine and including means for forming successive loops, cured in the fabric by the needle and drawn rearwardly through the throat platel and channel of the latter and also the groove of the presser foot as the fabric is moved over the work support andl throat plate.

27. In a sewing machine, the combination with the main single drive shaft, of a series of our-cam vdevices mounted in succession 0 and `at predetermined intervals thereon, a

the loops being sei work support, a single vertically reciprocating needle, a cam yoke engaging one of the cams on the drive shaft and havlng a rock shaft connected thereto, means cooperating with a succeedin cam on the drive shaft for imparting a longitudinal movement to the said rock shaft, a fixed abutment, a loop retaining means connected to said rock shaft and cooperating with the ixedabhtment to hold and shift the loops as formed, an oscillating loop former actuated by another of the cams, and cuttinr means operated by the remaining cam on the drive shaft and having a removable cutter to provide for the formation of either cut or uncut loops in the finished product.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

` JOHN MILTON GLADisH. 

